A cold frame greenhouse is a great way to extend the growing season and to supply a protected setting for your plants. These compact growing boxes are a welcome addition to any backyard, whether or not you have a regular greenhouse. They're an ideal location for your greenhouse plants to adjust to the outdoor environment before you plant them. Furthermore, they're just right for growing seedlings in the springtime.
A cold frame greenhouse is basically a wooden box without a bottom measuring about a foot high which is either placed on the ground or sunk in several inches. If you want to plant directly within the frame, then put in approximately four or five inches of compost and topsoil. You'll be able to make it any dimensions you prefer, but make sure you are able to get at all the plants within it. A cold frame relies completely on sunlight as its heat source, so ensure that you situate it in a secluded spot that receives plenty of sunshine and is protected from the wind.
The most essential aspect of a cold frame is the slanting roof, which is made of transparent or translucent material that allows in warmth from the sun. Discarded windows make good covers, however, you can utilize any sort of see-through, rigid plastic or film; just be certain that the cover can be adjusted so as to permit adequate ventilation.
A hotbed is a kind of cold frame having a supply of heat inside it, which can be a thermostatically controlled electric heating cable, a standard light bulb or even manure. Any of these heating methods will keep your plants from freezing even if outdoor temperatures dip to approximately 15 degrees F.
You don't need to construct your own cold frame if you're not handy with a hammer. A cold frame greenhouse is really a mini greenhouse, and you can buy these in kits at a number of stores and online merchants. These products are lightweight yet strong, and may be easily moved around as needed. They will usually be taller than cold frames and are manufactured from translucent plastic which is usually double-walled for greater insulation, and there are hinges on the roof for easy accessibility.
You might want to use a cold frame greenhouse for starting hardier annuals and early salad greens. It's also an excellent situation to adapt seedlings before transplanting them into the ground. When the outdoor temperatures rise, you'll be able to put it to use for rooting cuttings, to start more fragile annuals and also to sprout seeds. You can also sow winter vegetables in your cold frame during the fall so you can have fresh greens and root vegetables throughout the winter time.
A cold frame greenhouse is basically a wooden box without a bottom measuring about a foot high which is either placed on the ground or sunk in several inches. If you want to plant directly within the frame, then put in approximately four or five inches of compost and topsoil. You'll be able to make it any dimensions you prefer, but make sure you are able to get at all the plants within it. A cold frame relies completely on sunlight as its heat source, so ensure that you situate it in a secluded spot that receives plenty of sunshine and is protected from the wind.
The most essential aspect of a cold frame is the slanting roof, which is made of transparent or translucent material that allows in warmth from the sun. Discarded windows make good covers, however, you can utilize any sort of see-through, rigid plastic or film; just be certain that the cover can be adjusted so as to permit adequate ventilation.
A hotbed is a kind of cold frame having a supply of heat inside it, which can be a thermostatically controlled electric heating cable, a standard light bulb or even manure. Any of these heating methods will keep your plants from freezing even if outdoor temperatures dip to approximately 15 degrees F.
You don't need to construct your own cold frame if you're not handy with a hammer. A cold frame greenhouse is really a mini greenhouse, and you can buy these in kits at a number of stores and online merchants. These products are lightweight yet strong, and may be easily moved around as needed. They will usually be taller than cold frames and are manufactured from translucent plastic which is usually double-walled for greater insulation, and there are hinges on the roof for easy accessibility.
You might want to use a cold frame greenhouse for starting hardier annuals and early salad greens. It's also an excellent situation to adapt seedlings before transplanting them into the ground. When the outdoor temperatures rise, you'll be able to put it to use for rooting cuttings, to start more fragile annuals and also to sprout seeds. You can also sow winter vegetables in your cold frame during the fall so you can have fresh greens and root vegetables throughout the winter time.
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